The censor board has denied certificate to a Malayalam film “Chayam Poosiya Veedu“ (The Painted House) directed by Satish Babusenan and Santhosh Babusenan saying it had three scenes depicting nudity.

The directors of the 100 minute Malayalam film said that the shots depict the central theme of the film, the basic instincts of a human and the negative effect in life. Deletion of the scenes would kill the film, they said. In a news conference here on Monday, the directors said that the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) had asked them to either blur or delete three scenes where a character is shown in the nude.

“According to the committee, the guidelines prevent the screening of nude scenes. The members of the board said that while the nude scenes were appropriate in our film, they didn't want other filmmakers to use this as a precedent to start shooting nude scenes. This, according to them, could be a dangerous trend. They have also informed us that if we do not comply with their recommendations they will have to formally reject our film,“ said Santhosh.

However, regional officer of the CBFC, Pratibha A, said that
as the film included elements violating the guidelines prescribed, a showcause notice would be sent to the makers.“The Indian film censoring policy is meant for commercial and festival films. `Chayam Poosiya Veedu' has a few elements that failed to meet conditions for certificate approval. They could revise the scenes and apply again,“ said Pratibha.

“Such CBFC guidelines that transgress freedom of expression and stifle filmmaking in India should be changed,“ said Satish Babusenan. The directors said that they could not show the film anywhere in India or apply for selection to the Indian Panorama of the Iffi Goa 2015.